Are Artist Managers Important In An Artist's Career?

Exactly what a manager is, does and a manager’s value is a topic that is often discussed and frequently debated in the entertainment industry. There is no precise description of what a manager is or definition of what a manager does that is unanimously agreed upon. According to Donald S. Passman, author of All You Need To Know About the Music Business, one of the primary reasons for this is because the job of the manager is fairly complex and can differ from artist to artist and situation to situation. It often depends on the stage of the artist's career and the areas that the artist needs assistance with (e.g. image development, publicity, label shopping, touring, recording, publishing, songwriting, licensing, merchandising, sponsorship acquisition, etc.). A good manager can expand your career to its maximum potential, and a bad one can rocket an artist’s career into obscurity. Many artists are equally as confused as to when or if they require a manager of any type. Some feel that they have not reached the pinnacle in their career to warrant one and others feel as if they are succeeding comfortably without one – so why get one now? Choosing a manager is also an issue of concern for an artist; they are torn between hiring a seasoned manager with a network of contacts, a midsized manager who is wildly enthusiastic about the artist and is working equally as hard to make a name for themselves or an inexperienced manager who is thirsty to succeed and to ensure that the artist’s career takes off. The difficulty of staying connected and pursuing a career simultaneously can be daunting and almost impossible, but the presence of a manager alleviates all of the artist’s pressure, except performing. Although there are many decisions to make in choosing a manager, a manager’s importance is undeniably important. Whether an artist is at the genesis of their career or is well known and highly sought after, there are a multitude of components and responsibilities that are required to be handled. It is the manager’s role to ensure that these components are handled and that the artist’s most important focus is on the craft.